Texas State alumna named to U.S. Debate Team's tour of Japan

The two students who will represent the United States on the 2013 CIDD Sponsored Tour of Japan have been selected and a former Texas State University debater is one of the two members.

Shanna Schultz, a former member of the LBJ Debate Society and Texas State Alum, has been named by the National Communication Association’s Committee on International Discussion and Debate (CIDD) to the U.S. Debate Team that will travel to Japan this summer. The Japanese Debate Association hosts the U.S. team.

"My hope is to promote debate and diplomacy through engagement, example and cultural exchange," Schultz said. "I am very excited to start this journey."

While on the tour, Schultz will engage in debate exchanges with Japanese high school students, college debaters and business professionals. She will also serve as an ambassador for the United States.

Timothy Barr, a doctoral student in communication at the University of Pittsburg is the other student selected for the tour. He and Shultz were selected through a lengthy application and interview process to find the top candidates in the nation.

The tour continues the rich tradition of U.S.-Japan debate exchange that began in 1969, and supports the goal of the CIDD to promote global understanding and the practice of international and intercultural communication through discussion and debates.

This is the second time that a Texas State student or alum has been selected for a CIDD sponsored tour. In 2004 Matt Tiffee represented the U.S. on the CIDD and English Speaking Union sponsored tour of Great Britain and Portugal.

After finishing the tour this summer Schultz will begin work in Texas State’s graduate program in communication studies and serve as an assistant debate coach.